The state of New Jersey had chartered Camden and Amboy Railroad and Delaware and Raritan Canal Company in 1830 to develop a connection between Philadelphia and New York City.

[3] The Protection Act, passed in 1832, "prohibit[ed] any other railroad from building within three miles of the Camden & Amboy's termini.

[7][8] The completion of the Camden and Amboy 's branch line from Trenton to New Brunswick on January 1, 1839, created the first through route between Philadelphia and New York City.

The railroad resolved the issue by taking stock control of the bridge company.

[12] New Jersey Rail Road, Camden and Amboy Railroad, and Delaware and Raritan Canal Company moved to a closer association in 1867 when they created a joint board of directors.